This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
If you're involved in a lawsuit and you want to test a physical object that's connected to the case, you may need to get the court's permission first. This applies when the test would change or damage the object in some meaningful way. For example, if a piece of equipment, a vehicle part, or some other item is evidence in the case, you can't just run tests on it that alter its condition without asking the judge first.
To do this, you need to file a motion with the court explaining what test you want to run and how you want to run it. The judge will decide whether to allow the test and can set specific conditions on how it's done. This rule protects the object so all sides have a fair chance to examine it in its original condition before anything changes it.
If someone skips this step and tests the object anyway without court approval, they can face penalties. These penalties are outlined in Rule 37, which covers various sanctions for not following proper procedures. The point is to make sure no one gains an unfair advantage by damaging or altering evidence before the other side gets a chance to look at it too.
